Siri--and all her artificially intelligent peers--are increasingly taking on more tasks for people at home and at work. But as impressive as these digital assistants can be, they're still very much in their infancy. "I don't think anyone has nailed the user experience yet," warns Jason Cornwell, who leads the team at Google tasked with designing exactly that. Still, the biggest players in artificial intelligence (A.I.) agree on some important design lessons. Cornwell shared a stage with execs from Slack, Facebook, and Microsoft on Thursday at Fast Company's Innovation Festival in New York City.

Google just launched Google Home, a voice-activated speaker, powered by the tech giant's virtual Google Assistant that's also featured in their new Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones. The speaker aims to bring the power of Google's numerous services--like offering weather updates and converting measurements, among other tasks--into a stylish and easy-to-use package. At a quick glance, Google Home is a direct rival to the popular, Alexa-powered Amazon Echo speaker. Google has priced the newcomer attractively at $130, revealing that it has serious intentions about this rapidly growing product category. Google Home features a high-quality speaker with three audio drivers, sophisticated far-field microphones, and intuitive touch controls. The removable base of the speaker is available with a fabric or metal finish in a number of attractive colors.

The Echo Dot is an absolute steal with these bundles. We've scoured the web to find you the best deals on good products. All you'll have to do is say the magic word. You can dim your kitchen lights if you're feeling dramatic, set your bedroom temperature to a balmy 70 degrees, switch on your sprinkler system to keep those pesky kids off your lawn, and more with Amazon's digital assistant. If you're looking to branch into the smart home world, grab one of the new 2nd Gen. Echo Dots today.

Taking the plunge to get an Amazon Echo can be a big deal for some people. Sure, we're all used to having Siri on our phones, but having a robot around the house that's constantly listening for you to deliver its next task is a bit weird and can take some getting used to. But one man made the experience even weirder. No one will ever be prepared for this hacked Alexa. Developer Brian Kane managed to modify his Amazon Echo and a Big Mouth Billy Bass (you know, one of those creepy wall-mounted singing fish that were popular 20 years ago) so that when Alexa speaks, the fish turns and its mouth moves.

It's about time we put a face to the name of Alexa. Amazon's popular personal assistant, whose compatibility with a wide range of services and smart home products has made her one popular artificial (intelligence) lady. She is heard by plenty of folks around the world, but has yet to really be seen (because let's be honest, the Amazon Echo hardly counts as a believable body for her). But now, smartwatch brand Omate has introduced a rather adorable robot that just might be the physical manifestation of Alexa we've been waiting for. Meet the new Alexa-enabled robot Yumi, effectively a wheeled Android tablet that you can control with your voice.

On this week's Gadget Lab Podcast, we discuss voice assistants. They're talking back, too--products like Google Home and Amazon Echo can answer questions, give us helpful information, and tell stupid jokes. But the way we bark commands at our voice-controlled tech and treat the devices like lowly machines … is that making us ruder? Should we design the computers to talk to us more like humans in order to encourage empathy, or should we keep them cold and machine-like so we don't get unhealthily attached? Is this even a problem?

The term brings to mind robots, time-travel, science fiction, and other descriptions only fit for the far-reaching future. However, marketing experts are seeing that the future is now. Artificial intelligence (AI) marketing is playing, and will continue to play, a much more significant role in the way brands market to their customers. By 2017, AI marketing is projected to be the dominant force in the marketing industry. Using this technology will allow marketers to manage campaigns and know audiences through a more data-driven and more uniquely personal level than ever before.

For new owners of Google's $130 smart speaker, it could be quite a surprise. The AI assistant has a strange flaw - and it could drive owners mad. Every time a Verizon ad for Google's Pixel phone is played, it wakes up the speaker - and asks it to recite a list of restaurants. The device is programmed to respond to'Hey Google' The Verizon ad shows people on a train using the phone's smart assistant, the same one found in the Home speaker, to ask for Korean restaurants in Boulder. As the advert plays, the speaker begins reciting a list of restaurants. Google's $130 Home speaker is its entry in the monumental battle between tech giants.

This morning, former CBS6 anchor and reporter, Teresa Priolo asked Siri what she thought of Ted Cruz. I loved the idea, so I "stole" it -- asking Siri what she thought of each of the potential candidates for US President. The takeaway: She remains fairly mum on one party, but has lots to offer on the other.

We got a good helping of hardware and software this week. On the hardware front, we published our Google Home and new MacBook Pro (without Touch Bar) reviews. And on the software side, we got a first look at the 70 new emoji coming to iOS devices in the upcoming iOS 10.2. Mashable Tech Editor Pete Pachal and Chief Correspondent Lance Ulanoff joined me on MashTalk along with special guest Real Time News Reporter Nicole Gallucci to talk about it all. The verdict is out on Google Home: It's awesome.